Wireless camera flash synchronizer system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from a camera to a remote device using an externally connected device. A first signal generated after the activation of a camera trigger is received from the camera. Based on the first signal, a transceiver of the externally connected device is switched from a wireless receive mode to a wireless transmit.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/250,914, filed Oct. 14, 2008, and titled “Wireless Camera FlashSynchronizer System and Method,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/697,241 filed Apr. 5, 2007, and titled “WirelessCamera Flash Synchronizer System and Method,” now U.S. Pat. No.7,437,063, issued Oct. 14, 2008, each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. This application also claims thebenefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/790,355, filed Apr. 7, 2006, and titled “Wireless Camera FlashSynchronizer System and Method, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of camera flashsynchronization. In particular, the present invention is directed to awireless camera flash synchronizer system and method.

BACKGROUND

Synchronization of a camera flash to the acquisition of an image can bedone wirelessly between a camera and a remote flash device or otherdevice requiring synchronization. Typically, prior synchronizers requirea user to manually switch the device from a receive mode to a transmitmode utilizing a physical switch on the device. The speed demandsimposed by cameras require near instantaneous transmission of asynchronization command to the remote device in order for the remotedevice to synchronize properly with the camera. Thus, synchronizers aretypically manually set in the transmit mode to save the time ofswitching the synchronizer from a receive mode to a transmit mode upon aneed to transmit. This type of setting requires a manual input to thesynchronizer. One prior synchronizer, the FlashWizard II manufactured byLPA Design of South Burlington, Vt., includes separate radio circuitsfor transmitting and receiving (e.g., two separate oscillator elements,one for receive and one for transmit, that are both active at the sametime). Having separate radio circuits can add to the cost of thesynchronizer and increase power consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, a method of wirelessly communicating a camerasynchronization from a camera to a remote device using an externaldevice connected to the camera, the external device including atransceiver and being connected to the camera via an external connectorof the camera is provided. The method includes receiving at the externaldevice a first signal from the camera via the external connector, thefirst signal generated after a trigger of the camera is activated, thetransceiver of the external device set to operate in a wireless receivemode; in response to said receiving the first signal, automaticallysetting the transceiver to operate in a wireless transmit mode; andwirelessly transmitting a synchronization data from the external deviceto the remote device.

In another embodiment, a method of wirelessly communicating a camerasynchronization from a camera to a remote device is provided, the methodincludes setting a transceiver of an external device to operate in awireless receive mode, the external device being connected to a hotshoeconnector of the camera; receiving a first signal via the hotshoeconnector, the first signal generated after a trigger of the camera isactivated; in response to said receiving the first signal, automaticallysetting the transceiver to operate in a wireless transmit mode; andwirelessly transmitting a synchronization data from the external deviceto the remote device.

In still another embodiment, an external device for connection to acamera, the external device capable of wirelessly communicating a camerasynchronization to a remote device is provided. The external deviceincludes a transceiver having a receive mode and a transmit mode; acamera connector for connecting the external device to an externalconnector of the camera; and an auto mode switcher for switching saidtransceiver from said receive mode to said transmit mode in response toreceiving a first signal from the camera via the external connector, thefirst signal generated after a trigger of the camera is activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a method of wirelesslycommunicating a camera synchronization to a remote device from a camerabody;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless camera flashsynchronizer; and

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless camera flashsynchronizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A single oscillator system and method is provided that automaticallyswitches from a receive mode to a transmit mode upon the detection of asynchronization (synch) signal of a camera body.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a method 100 of wirelesslycommunicating a camera synchronization to a remote device from a camerabody. At step 105, an oscillator element of a wireless camera flashsynchronizer is set to a receive mode. Various embodiments of a wirelesscamera flash synchronizer are set forth below (e.g., wireless cameraflash synchronizer 200, 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively). A wirelesscamera flash synchronizer may be physically connected to the camera bodyin a variety of ways. In one example, a wireless camera flashsynchronizer may be connected to a synchronization signal connector ofthe camera body. Examples of a synchronization signal connector include,but are not limited to, a camera hotshoe, a camera PC connector, adirect wiring to the internal circuitry of the camera body, and anycombinations thereof. It should be noted that the term PC connector iswell understood to those of ordinary skill to refer to a camerasynchronization connector, such as a connector defined by the ISO 519standard. The “PC” of this term does not refer to a personal computer.

A wireless camera flash synchronizer may include one or more oscillatorelements. However, only one of the oscillator elements is utilized inthe steps of method 100. For example, in addition to an oscillatorelement for wireless communication, a synchronizer may include anprocessing oscillator utilized by a processing element, but not used forwireless communication. An oscillator element may be included in atransceiver circuit. A variety of transceiver circuits suitable for usein a synchronizer according to the present disclosure will be known tothose of ordinary skill from the description herein. Example transceivercircuits are discussed below. An oscillator element may include one ormore oscillator circuits that are all utilized at a given time foreither transmit or receive function. In one example, an oscillatorelement includes a single oscillator circuit that can be set to one of awireless mode, including a wireless receive mode and a wireless transmitmode. In another example, an oscillator element includes two or moreoscillator circuits that work together and can be set together to one ofa wireless mode, including a wireless receive mode and a wirelesstransmit mode. In either of these examples, the oscillator element doesnot wirelessly transmit and receive at the same time.

The setting of the oscillator element to a receive mode (e.g., as instep 105) may occur in a variety of ways. In one example, the oscillatorelement is set to a receive mode as a default mode of the synchronizer(e.g., at power on of the synchronizer). In another example, theoscillator element is manually physically switched (e.g., utilizing abutton or other physical switching device on the synchronizer) to areceive mode. In yet another example, the oscillator element isautomatically switched to a receive mode after an event occurs, such asafter the synchronizer transmits a wireless signal to a remote device.In still another example, a receive frequency coding is loaded into atransceiver having the oscillator element and latching the receivefrequency coding into a register utilized by the transceiver fordetermining a frequency for wireless reception and/or a mode status forthe transceiver. In such an example, a receive frequency coding mayinclude one or more bits of data representing a frequency for receptionand/or one or more bits of data representing that the transceiver (e.g.,and its oscillator element) should be in a receive mode. Example signalsthat may be received by a synchronizer (e.g., from a remote device)include, but are not limited to, a confirmation of existence of a remotedevice, a confirmation of flash firing from a remote device, a triggercommand to start the image acquisition process of the camera device froma remote trigger (e.g., a trigger in a remote light sensor, a wirelesshandheld trigger, etc.), and any combinations thereof. Having asynchronizer that can stay in a receive mode until a synch signal isreceived and then switch to a transmit mode is desirable. In oneexample, such a synchronizer eliminates the need for a physicaltransmit/receive control for manual actuation on the synchronizer device

At step 110, a synch signal of the camera body is detected via thesynchronization connector of the camera body to which the synchronizeris physically connected. A synch signal is a signal recognized by thoseskilled in the art. Typically, a synch signal is generated by a cameradevice after a trigger of the camera is activated and is utilized tosynchronize a flash device (or other device) to the acquisition of animage (e.g., the open state of a shutter) by the camera. In one example,a synch signal is generated by a camera device at the point where afirst curtain of a shutter reaches a fully open position. In anotherexample, a camera device without a shutter may generate a synch signalat a point at or closely after the beginning of exposure of an exposureelement (e.g., a CCD of a digital camera).

There may be a relatively great amount of time between the reception ofa trigger to acquire an image (e.g., a trigger command received from aremote trigger or from the trigger of the camera body itself) and actualimage acquisition. The receipt of a trigger command and the generationof a synch signal occur at different times in the image acquisitionprocess. A synch signal is typically generated after a trigger commandis provided.

At step 115, in response to the detecting of the synch signal, theoscillator element is automatically switched from the receive mode to atransmit mode. An oscillator element may be switched from a receive modeto a transmit mode in a variety of ways that will be understood from thedisclosure herein. In one example, a synchronizer, such as one of theexemplary synchronizers discussed below with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3,is configured with appropriate circuitry and/or machine executableinstructions for automatically switching an oscillator element to atransmit mode upon detecting a synch signal via a physical connection ofthe synchronizer to a synchronization connector of a camera body. Inanother example, a transceiver having an oscillator element is loadedwith a transmit frequency coding that may include data for setting anoperating mode of the oscillator and/or transceiver. An exemplarytransmit frequency coding may include an instruction to theoscillator/transceiver of a frequency of operation for transmissionand/or an instruction to the oscillator/transceiver to operate in atransmit mode. Such instructions may include any number of one or moredata bits. In yet another example, the loading of a transmit frequencycoding occurs before a synch signal is detected (e.g., as in step 110).In still another example, a transmit frequency coding is latched into aregister utilized by a transceiver to set an operating mode. In such anexample, the latching may occur after the detection of the synch signal(e.g., during step 115).

The time from the point at which a synch signal is generated by a cameradevice to when a flash (or other remote device) must fire can be veryfast. This time may depend on many variables. In one example, a cameradevice's image acquisition time is limited in part by the length of theopening of an aperture (e.g., time of shutter opening), or otherlimitation (e.g., programmed image acquisition time of a shutterlessdigital camera).

In one exemplary embodiment, it may be important to limit the amount oftime between a synchronizer detecting a synch signal via asynchronization connector and the synchronizer being switched fromreceive mode to a transmit mode (e.g., the synchronizer being ready towirelessly transmit an indicator of the synch signal to a remotedevice). In one example, being ready to wirelessly transmit a synchsignal includes being ready to stably transmit on a particular transmitfrequency. Any one of a variety of transmit frequencies may be used fortransmission. In one example, a stable frequency state is indicated by aPLL (Phase Lock Loop) of the transceiver reaching a “lock” condition. APLL lock may be measured when frequency error is sustained at aparticular level. In one example, a phase lock may be detected when afrequency error is sustained at less than 20 kHz error. Other measuresof frequency stability may be used to indicate that the synchronizer isin a transmit mode.

The time utilized from the detection of a synch signal to the completionof switching to a transmit mode may depend on a variety of factors(e.g., hardware and operating environment) and influence performance ofthe synchronizer in synchronizing a remote device with imageacquisition. In one example, switching to a transmit mode (as in step115) is completed in about 10 microseconds to about 1 millisecond.Performance of the synchronizer may be increased by decreasing the timenecessary to switch to a transmit mode. Other example times forcompletion of switching to a transmit mode after detection of a synchsignal include, but are not limited to, a switch completion time of lessthan about 1 millisecond, a switch completion time of less than about500 microseconds, a switch completion time of less than about 200microseconds, a switch completion time of less than about 100microseconds, a switch completion time of less than about 20microseconds, and a switch completion time of less than about 10microseconds. Other example times for switching to a transmit modeinclude, but are not limited to, less than 1 millisecond, less than 100microseconds, and less than 20 microseconds.

At step 120, a synchronization data is wirelessly transmitted from thesynchronizer to a remote device. Optionally, after transmission, step105 may be repeated and the oscillator element may be set again to areceive mode. In one example, this may occur at a predetermined timeafter the completion of the transmission to the remote device.

A synchronization data may be any information that can be wirelesslytransmitted to a remote device to synchronize the remote device with thecamera body to which the synchronizer is connected. Examples ofsynchronization include, but are not limited to, firing a flash at aboutthe time of image acquisition by a camera device (e.g., firing the flashat least for some of the time that a shutter of the camera device isopen), instigating image acquisition by a remote camera device inconjunction with the image acquisition of the camera device to which thesynchronizer is connected, and any combinations thereof. Examples ofsynchronization data include, but are not limited to, one or more dataelements based on a detected camera body synch signal, one or more dataelements that include a detected camera body synch signal, and anycombinations thereof.

For the sake of convenience, the present disclosure frequently discussesa remote device that is a flash device. However, it is contemplated thata remote device that may be synchronized by a wireless synchronizer ofthe present disclosure may include any one or more of a variety ofremote devices. Examples of a remote device include, but are not limitedto, a flash device, a non-flash lighting device, a remote camera device(e.g., a remote camera device to be synchronized with the operation ofthe camera body connected to the synchronizer), an exposure meter, andany combinations thereof. Example flash devices include, but are notlimited to, an internal flash, external flash, local flash, and a remoteflash device. In one example, a flash device may be internal, external,local, and/or remote to the camera device.

Depending on the mode of wireless transmission and the distance to theremote device, an amount of time passes during the transmission of thesynchronization data to the remote device. In one example, the remotedevice (e.g., a flash device) then prepares to fire. In a flash deviceexample, the flash fires over a specific amount of time.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a synchronizer 200. Synchronizer200 includes a transceiver 205 having an oscillator element 210 that hasa receive mode and a transmit mode. Oscillator element 210 is configuredto allow only one of the receive mode and the transmit mode at a time.Various transceivers suitable for use with a synchronizer of the presentdisclosure (e.g., synchronizer 200) will be recognized by those skilledin the art from a review of the present disclosure. One example of atransceiver includes a transceiver radio chip, model no. ADF7020-1,available from Analog Devices of Norwood, Mass. Another example of atransceiver includes a transceiver radio chip, model no. ADF7020, alsoavailable from Analog Devices. Yet another example of a transceiverincludes a transceiver radio chip, model no. CC1100 from ChipCon/TI.Still another example of a transceiver includes a transceiver radiochip, model no CC1110 from ChipCon/TI.

Transceiver 205 may include one or more connectors 215 for communicatingwith the circuitry of the transceiver. Examples of a connector forcommunicating with a transceiver include, but are not limited to, a dataconnector (e.g., for communicating data to a transceiver for wirelesstransmission and/or for communicating data wirelessly received by atransceiver to a device, such as a processor; communicating instructionsto a transceiver, etc.), a clock connector (e.g., for connecting to aclock of a processor), a latch connector (e.g., for receiving a latchinstruction from a processor to latch one or more pieces ofinformation), and any combinations thereof. One or more connectors 215may include any electrical connector medium. In one example, one or moreconnectors 215 may include printed circuit board traces that connectcircuit elements.

Synchronizer 200 also includes one or more synchronization signalconnectors 220. As discussed above with respect to method 100 of FIG. 1,a synchronization signal connector is any connector that is configuredto connect to a synchronization signal of a camera body (e.g., via asynchronization signal connector of the camera body). Examples of asynchronization signal connector include, but are not limited to, acamera hotshoe, a camera PC connector, a direct wiring to the internalcircuitry of the camera body, multi-contact accessory ports that includesynchronization signal, and any combinations thereof. Via such aconnection, synchronizer 200 may detect a synch signal of camera body225. Synchronizer 200 is shown as being connected to camera body 225 viaa hotshoe connector 230 and synchronization signal connector 220. Insuch an example, synchronization signal connector 220 is configured toconnect with hotshoe connector 230. As part of this configuration,synchronization signal connector 220 may include a male hotshoe assemblysized and shaped to mate with a hotshoe connector, such as hotshoeconnector 230. In one example, a male hotshoe assembly may be positionedon and/or within an exterior casing of a synchronizer (e.g.,synchronizer 200). It is contemplated that a synchronizer, such assynchronization signal connector 220 may include (e.g., in addition to ahotshoe configuration or as a replacement for a hotshoe configuration asshown in FIG. 2) a configuration that is sized and shaped to connect(directly and/or via a wire) to a PC connector of camera body 225. Inone example, a PC connector configuration for synchronization signalconnector 220 includes a standard female microphone jack. It is alsocontemplated that a synchronizer may be shaped and sized to be inserted(in its entirety or in part) within camera body 225. In one suchexample, synchronization signal connector 220 includes wiring and/orother circuitry for directly connecting synchronizer 200 to internalsynchronization circuitry and/or wiring of camera body 225.

Transceiver 205 is in electrical communication with an auto modeswitcher 235 via one or more of connectors 215. Auto mode switcher 235is also electrically connected to synchronization signal connector 220via connection 240. Auto mode switcher 235 includes circuitry and/ormachine executable instructions for automatically switching oscillator210 and/or transceiver 205 to a transmit mode when a synch signal isdetected via synchronization signal connector 220. One exemplaryembodiment of such circuitry and one exemplary embodiment of suchmachine executable instructions are described below with respect tosynchronizer 300 of FIG. 3. Other embodiments and variants of suchcircuitry will be understood by those of ordinary skill from the presentdisclosure.

Auto mode switcher 235 is shown as being separate from transceiver 205.It is contemplated that all or part of the circuitry and/or machineexecutable instructions of auto mode switcher 235 may be part oftransceiver 205.

Auto mode switcher 235 may be configured to automatically switchoscillator 210 and potentially other components of transceiver 205 froma receive mode to a transmit mode and to capable of transmission ofsynchronization data to a remote device within a specific amount of timeof the detection of a synch signal from camera 225 via synchronizationsignal connector 220. In one example, auto mode switcher 235 isconfigured to switch to a transmit mode in less than about 1 millisecondof detection of a synch signal. In another example, auto mode switcher235 is configured to switch to a transmit mode in less than about 500microseconds of detection of a synch signal. In yet another example,auto mode switcher 235 is configured to switch to a transmit mode inless than about 200 microseconds of detection of a synch signal. Instill another example, auto mode switcher 235 is configured to switch toa transmit mode in less than about 100 microseconds of detection of asynch signal. In still yet another example, auto mode switcher 235 isconfigured to switch to a transmit mode in less than about 20microsecond of detection of a synch signal. In a further example, automode switcher 235 is configured to switch to a transmit mode in lessthan about 10 microsecond of detection of a synch signal. Other examplesof configurations of auto mode switcher 235 include, but are not limitedto, a configuration to switch to a transmit mode in less than 1millisecond, a configuration to switch to a transmit mode in less than100 microseconds, and a configuration to switch to a transmit mode inless than 20 microseconds.

In an alternative embodiment, synchronizer 200 may be configured totransmit a signal including information representing synchronizationdata, to a remote device utilizing a single modulated frequency for eachtransmission of data to the remote device. In one example, transceiver205 may be instructed (e.g., via auto mode switcher 235) to utilize asingle modulated frequency for a given channel of transmission. In onesuch example, transceiver 205 operates differently than a radio deviceutilizing spread spectrum technology. Spread spectrum technology oftenhas inferior performance in sending a synch signal partly because of thetime necessary for a spread spectrum technique to resynchronize theradio link with the remote receiver and the significant radio traffic onthese spread spectrum bands.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a synchronizer 300. Exceptwhere indicated, synchronizer 300 and its component elements includesaspects and features that are similar to those of synchronizer 200 ofFIG. 2.

Synchronizer 300 includes a transceiver 305 having an oscillator element310 that has a receive mode and a transmit mode. Oscillator element 310is configured to allow only one of the receive mode and the transmitmode at a time. Transceiver 305 includes one or more connectors 315 forproviding electrical communication to and/or from transceiver 305.

Synchronizer 300 also includes a synchronization signal connector 320.Here synchronization signal connector 320 is shown as a hotshoeconnector for connecting to a camera body 325 via a hotshoesynchronization signal connector 330 of camera body 325. Whensynchronization signal connector 320 is connected to synchronizationsignal connector 330, it is possible to detect a synch signal of camera325. Synchronizer 300 may also include a synchronization signalconnector 320′. In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, synchronizationsignal connector 320′ is configured to connect to a PC connectorsynchronization signal connector 330′ of camera body 325. Whensynchronization signal connector 320′ is connected to synchronizationsignal connector 330′, it is possible to detect a synch signal of camera325.

Transceiver 305 is electrically connected with an auto mode switcher 335via connector 315. In one example, such an electrical connection mayinclude a connection to one or more of a data connector, a clockconnector, and a latch connector (e.g., using circuit board traces asconnectors). Auto mode switcher 335 is also in electrical communicationwith synchronization signal connector 320 via electrical connection 340.

Auto mode switcher 335 may include a processor 345. Example processorsinclude, but are not limited to, a microcontroller, embedded controller,CPU, digital signal processor, and any combinations thereof. In oneexample, auto mode switcher includes an AVR processor available fromAtmel Semiconductor. Processor 345 and auto mode switcher 335 are shownin FIG. 3 as being separate circuit elements from transceiver 305. In analternate embodiment, either a processor or any other part of auto modeswitcher 335 may be combined in a in a single integrated circuit elementwith a transceiver. Examples of a combination processor and transceivercircuit include, but are not limited to, a CC1100 model chip and aCC1110 model chip both from ChipCon/TI.

Auto mode switcher 335 may also include a memory 350. Memory 350 may beintegrated with or separate from auto mode switcher 335. In one examplesuch as that shown in FIG. 3, auto mode switcher 335 includes aprocessor having a built-in memory. In another example, auto modeswitcher 335 includes a processor having a memory that is separate fromthe processor but part of auto mode switcher 335. In yet anotherexample, auto mode switcher 335 includes a processor that is part ofauto mode switcher 335 and that is associated with (e.g., electricallyconnected with) a memory that is separate from auto mode switcher 335.It is contemplated that multiple memory elements (e.g., memory element350) may be present in synchronizer 300.

In one example, a memory (e.g., memory 350) includes a machine readablemedium. Examples of a machine readable medium include, but are notlimited to, a random access memory, a read only memory, a memory drivedevice, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a compact disc (e.g., read only CD-ROM,writeable CD, re-writable CD, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disc and/orcard, a flash memory (e.g., a thumb drive), a removable memory (e.g., amemory card, such as an SD-card), and any combinations thereof.

Memory 350 may include instructions 355 for causing a machine (e.g.,processor 345) to perform any one of the methodologies of the presentdisclosure. In one example, memory 350 includes instructions 360 forprogramming transceiver 305 to a receive mode. Instructions 360 mayinclude a digital receive frequency coding (e.g., a fractional N coding)or other structure representing a receive frequency of operation for atransceiver, such as transceiver 305. In one example, a digital receivefrequency coding includes a 32-bit element that may be communicated(e.g., as a signal) to a transceiver to instruct the transceiver of thereceive frequency to be utilized. In another example, memory 350includes instructions 365 for programming transceiver 305 to a transmitmode. Instructions 365 may include a digital transmit frequency codingor other structure representing a transmit frequency of operation for atransceiver, such as transceiver 305. In one example, a digital transmitfrequency coding includes a 32-bit element that may be communicated(e.g., as a signal) to a transceiver to instruct the transceiver of thetransmit frequency to be utilized.

In one aspect, an instruction for setting a particular frequency fortransmit or receive, (e.g., a digital frequency coding) may be providedin a variety of ways. In one example, an instruction for setting aparticular frequency is set in one or more tables (e.g., a table storedin a memory, such as memory 350). In another example, an instruction forsetting a particular frequency is calculated using an algorithm or otherset of instructions (e.g., an algorithm stored in a memory, such asmemory 350, and utilized by a processor, such as processor 345). Asynchronizer may have an ability to use any number of frequencies fortransmit and/or receive modes. In one example, a synchronizer includesinstructions for a limited set of frequencies and/or the ability tocalculate a limited set of such instructions. In another example, analgorithm provides an ability to determine an unlimited number ofinstructions for an unlimited number of frequencies. In yet anotherexample, instructions for determining one or more frequencies fortransmit and/or receive mode may be upgradeable (e.g., modifiable at atime after initial programming of a particular synchronizer).

In one embodiment, a synchronizer (e.g., synchronizer 300) transmitsutilizing oscillator 310 operating on a first frequency and receivesutilizing oscillator 310 operating on a second frequency (i.e.,oscillator 310 in a receive mode is set at a frequency different fromthe transmit frequency for oscillator 310, such as in a heterodyne or asuperheterodyne transceiver). In one example of such an embodiment,switching from a receive mode to a transmit mode requires instructingthe synchronizer which frequency to utilize for transmit mode. Asynchronizer may utilize one or more receive oscillator frequencies thatare each offset from a corresponding transmit frequency by a setfrequency difference. This difference is known as the intermediatefrequency. In one example, a set frequency difference is about 200kiloHertz (kHz). In one such example, to receive at a frequency of 300MHz, the receive RF oscillator is set 200 kHz below or above thefrequency of the signal to be wirelessly received (which is also thetransmit frequency). In one aspect, a synchronizer may include one ormore settings for instructing the synchronizer to utilize one or morepredetermined channels. In such a case, a synchronizer may include amanual or electronic interface for a user to select a given channel ofoperation. In one example, a synchronizer includes four predeterminedchannels of operation, each including a frequency for wireless receptionand a frequency of transmission (in some cases the same frequency asreception), which in turn determine the oscillator frequencies fortransmit mode and receive mode. A given frequency for a channel may bedetermined by an algorithm or other instruction stored in a memory, suchas memory 350. In another example, a synchronizer is configured toutilize a reception/transmission frequency including one or morefrequencies between about 344 megahertz (MHz) and about 354 MHz, withchannels spaced at about 0.5 MHz intervals and corresponding oscillatorfrequencies (e.g., frequencies of a transmit mode and a receive mode)offset from each other by about 200 kHz. In yet another example, asynchronizer is configured to utilize a reception/transmission frequencyincluding one or more frequencies between about 433.4 MHz to about 434.4MHz.

Synchronizer 300 may include an antenna 370. Transceiver 305 is shown inelectrical communication with antenna 370 for providing wirelesscommunication to and/or from transceiver 305. A variety of antennae arewell known to those of skill in the art. Synchronizer 300 is shown witha module body 375. In one example, antenna 370 is external to modulebody 375. In another example, antenna 370 is internal to module body375. In yet another example, antenna 370 is formed contiguously withmodule body 375.

Upon detecting a synch signal via a synchronization signal connector(e.g., synchronization signal connector 320, 320′), auto mode switcher335 provides instructions to transceiver 305 and oscillator 310 toswitch to a transmit mode. This process may occur in a variety of ways.As discussed above, instructions 365 may include instructions for atransmit frequency coding. Such a coding may also include an instructionthat can be interpreted by the circuitry of transceiver 305 to set anoperating mode to a transmit mode and use the frequency represented bythe transmit frequency coding.

In one example of transceiver 305, transceiver 305 includes one or moreconfiguration registers 380. In one example, transceiver 305 includes aconfiguration register 380 utilized by transceiver 305 for programming afrequency for transmission and reception. In such an example,instructions representing a frequency for transmission and/or reception(e.g., instructions 355, 360, 365) may be communicated to register 380from a auto mode switcher 335.

In one embodiment of operation, synchronizer 300 is configured to load(e.g., load via serial connection and/or via serial shifting) aninstruction, such as a configuration, for a receive frequency from automode switcher (e.g., from memory 350) to transceiver 305. This may occurat any point. In one example, oscillator 310 is set in a default stateof a receive mode by shifting an instruction for a receive frequency totransceiver 305 at power on of synchronizer 300. Loading of aninstruction for a given frequency may occur over one of the connections315 (e.g., a data connection). In one example, each bit of aninstruction (e.g., a 32-bit instruction) is loaded to a transceiver oneat a time (e.g., one per clock cycle). In this example, a loadedinstruction in transceiver 305 (e.g., a loaded instruction in register380) does not set the current active operating mode of transceiver 305and its oscillator 310. After loading an instruction (e.g., a receivefrequency coding) for a receive frequency to transceiver 305, theinstruction for the receive frequency is latched into configurationregister 380. In one example, a latch instruction is provided from automode switcher 335 to transceiver 305 utilizing one of connections 315,such as a latch connection. In this example, once latched theinstruction sets the current active operating mode of transceiver 305and its oscillator 310. As discussed above, receive frequency coding mayalso include an indicator that transceiver 305 is to set an operatingmode of a receive mode.

Switching oscillator 310 and transceiver 305 to a transmit mode mayoccur by a variety of ways. In one example, after latching of theinstruction for the receive frequency into register 380, auto modeswitcher 335 loads an instruction for a transmit frequency totransceiver 305 (e.g., loading corresponding data bits to register 380)but does not latch the instruction to register 380, thereby leavingtransceiver 305 and oscillator 310 in a receive mode. This preloadingmay occur at any time prior to detecting a synch signal (e.g., uponreceiving a trigger command, such as a trigger command from a trigger390 of camera body 325). In a preloading example, by pre-loading theinstruction for a transmit frequency to transceiver 305, the timerequired to do so is saved at the time of switching to a transmit mode.When a synch signal is detected via a synchronization signal connector(e.g., synchronization signal connector 320, 320′) from camera body 325,auto mode switcher 335 provides an instruction and/or a connectionsignal (e.g., an electric pulse) to transceiver 305 to latch thepre-loaded instruction for a transmit frequency to register 380. Thisswitches transceiver 305 and oscillator 310 (and thus synchronizer 300)to a transmit mode. Any additional necessary instructions for switchingto and/or from a given receive and/or transmit mode (e.g., a TX bit, anRX bit) may also be communicated to transceiver 305 at the time ofswitching to a given mode. In one example, this instruction is includedas part of the transmit and/or receive frequency coding. In one example,instructions for latching an instruction for a transmit frequency (andany additional instructions necessary for switching to a transmit mode)are communicated to transceiver 305 in direct response to detection of asynch signal by auto mode switcher 335.

In another embodiment, an instruction to transceiver 305 to switch to atransmit mode (e.g., a frequency coding) may be loaded into transceiver305 (e.g., via loading into register 380 without latching the data toregister 380) in larger word lengths than one bit. For example, a 32-bitfrequency coding may be loaded to register 380 8-bits per instructioncycle of processor 335. This reduces the time required for loading toapproximately 4 instruction cycles plus one instruction cycle toinstruct register 380 to latch the values. In such an example,pre-loading of the frequency coding may occur, but is not necessary,prior to detecting a synch signal from camera 325.

It is to be noted that the above described aspects and embodiments maybe conveniently implemented using a conventional processing device(e.g., processor 345) programmed according to the teachings of thepresent specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in thecomputer art. Appropriate software coding (i.e., instructions) canreadily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of thepresent disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the softwareart.

Such instructions may be included on a machine readable medium includingstored computer code which is used to program a processing device toperform the disclosed function and process of the present disclosure.Examples of a machine readable medium include, but are not limited to, arandom access memory, a read only memory, a memory drive device, anEPROM, an EEPROM, a compact disc (e.g., read only CD-ROM, writeable CD,re-writable CD, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disc and/or card, a flashmemory (e.g., a thumb drive), a removable memory (e.g., a memory card,such as an SD-card), and any combinations thereof.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that whichis specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

1. A method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from acamera to a remote device using an external device connected to thecamera, the external device including a transceiver and being connectedto the camera via an external connector of the camera, the methodcomprising: receiving at the external device a first signal from thecamera via the external connector, the first signal generated after atrigger of the camera is activated, the transceiver of the externaldevice set to operate in a wireless receive mode; in response to saidreceiving the first signal, automatically setting the transceiver tooperate in a wireless transmit mode; and wirelessly transmitting asynchronization data from the external device to the remote device.
 2. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the external connector is a hotshoeconnector.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the externalconnector is a PC flash synchronization connector.
 4. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein said wirelessly transmitting a synchronization dataincludes radio frequency transmission.
 5. A method according to claim 1,wherein the transceiver includes an oscillator element configured to bein one of the receive mode and the transmit mode.
 6. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein the remote device is a lighting device.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising setting the transceiver tooperate in the wireless receive mode prior to receiving the firstsignal.
 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said setting stepcomprises: loading the transceiver with a receive frequency coding; andloading the transceiver with a transmit frequency coding prior toreceiving the first signal.
 9. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid automatically setting step is completed and said wirelesslytransmitting step commences in less than about 1 millisecond.
 10. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein said automatically setting step iscompleted and said wirelessly transmitting step commences in less thanabout 100 microseconds.
 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidautomatically setting step is completed and said wirelessly transmittingstep commences in less than about 20 microseconds.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first signal is a synchronizationsignal.
 13. A method of wirelessly communicating a camerasynchronization from a camera to a remote device, the method comprising:setting a transceiver of an external device to operate in a wirelessreceive mode, the external device being connected to a hotshoe connectorof the camera; receiving a first signal via the hotshoe connector, thefirst signal generated after a trigger of the camera is activated; inresponse to said receiving the first signal, automatically setting thetransceiver to operate in a wireless transmit mode; and wirelesslytransmitting a synchronization data from the external device to theremote device.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein saidwirelessly transmitting a synchronization data includes radio frequencytransmission.
 15. A method according to claim 13, wherein thetransceiver includes an oscillator element configured to be in one ofthe receive mode and the transmit mode at a time.
 16. A method accordingto claim 15, wherein said setting step comprises: loading thetransceiver with a receive frequency coding; and loading the transceiverwith a transmit frequency coding prior to receiving the first signal.17. A method according to claim 13, wherein said wherein saidautomatically setting step is completed and said wirelessly transmittingstep commences in less than about 1 millisecond.
 18. A method accordingto claim 13, wherein said automatically setting step is completed andsaid wirelessly transmitting step commences in less than about 100microseconds.
 19. A method according to claim 13, wherein saidautomatically setting step is completed and said wirelessly transmittingstep commences in less than about 20 microseconds.
 20. An externaldevice for connection to a camera, the external device capable ofwirelessly communicating a camera synchronization to a remote device,the external device comprising: a transceiver having a receive mode anda transmit mode; a camera connector for connecting the external deviceto an external connector of the camera; an auto mode switcher forswitching said transceiver from said receive mode to said transmit modein response to receiving a first signal from the camera via the externalconnector, the first signal generated after a trigger of the camera isactivated.
 21. An external device for connection to a camera accordingto claim 20, wherein said camera connector is a hotshoe connector. 22.An external device for connection to a camera according to claim 20,wherein said camera connector is a PC flash synchronization connector.23. An external device for connection to a camera according to claim 20,wherein said transceiver is a radio frequency transceiver.
 24. Anexternal device for connection to a camera according to claim 20,wherein said auto mode switcher and transceiver are configured tocommence transmission to the remote device within 1 millisecond ofreceiving the first signal.
 25. An external device for connection to acamera according to claim 20, wherein said auto mode switcher andtransceiver are configured to commence transmission to the remote devicewithin 100 microseconds of receiving the first signal.
 26. An externaldevice for connection to a camera according to claim 20, wherein saidauto mode switcher and transceiver are configured to commencetransmission to the remote device within 20 microseconds of receivingthe first signal.